When you travel downtown for work every day, you quickly notice when something has changed in the area. Over the past few weeks, we have noticed more and more downtown business owners getting into the Christmas spirit by decorating their store fronts for the season. This spurred conversation between us, so, naturally, we had to get out and take a look for ourselves. 

Our stroll began on Main Street where we first came across the vintage-themed window display at Pastimes Antiques. The window was filled with a variety of gold and silver vintage items that were each very unique and fun to take a look at - we couldn't help but wonder what the story was behind each of the pieces! After spending quite some time here, we continued on one step at a time until we were stopped in our tracks by the display at Back Porch Antiques. A giant sized Santa Claus stood tall and proud in the window with his very own collection of kids who made both the naughty and nice lists. We pondered whether we should be worried that our names weren't on either, but then decided that Santa just wasn't finished with the nice list yet :). 

The final stop along Main Street for us was at the ever-famous Hutson's Fine Furniture that puts up a spectacular display every year. This year's grand theme is Steam Punk, but they had several other windows decorated for the season as well. In fact, I (Nicholle) fell in love with the large Santa legs and the "Live Life Have Fun" slogan just a few spaces down!

As we were turning the corner onto Independence to make our way to Spanish Street, we noticed something that neither one of us had ever seen before -- an upside down Christmas tree in the window of Drop Dead Gorgeous...talk about seeing things from a different angle! A few minutes passed as we tried to figure out how they did this, but we finally just accepted that it was cool and left it at that. 

The first decor that we came across on Spanish Street was at Bella Italia, which was beautifully done up in garland, lights and bows that matched their Italian theme. We were tempted to take a break and grab some of their decadent bread, but we carried on.

Eventually, we made our way up the hill on Broadway and stopped at Katy O'Ferrells Publick House to admire not only their recent updates to the outside but also their Christmas lights and giant wreath. Being located on the corner of Broadway and Lorimer makes the restaurant stand out when driving or walking around downtown. We continued up Broadway and noticed several more "stand out" stores decorated for the season including Shivelbine's Music Store, Shoppe La La and City Church who, by the way, won my (Kaleisha) vote for the best decorated window with the large Christmas tree accompanied by Mary and the "Faith Hope Love" signs on the wall.

While perusing Broadway, we couldn't help but notice the beautiful addition of Christmas lights on all the trees lining the street, courtesy of our friends at Broadway Prescription Shop. Each block alternates red and green, and helps pull the entire Christmas decoration package together with a big shiny bow!

We consider ourselves lucky to live in a community where so many people get excited about the holiday and show it through their effort for others' viewing pleasure. We hope you take some time to enjoy downtown Cape because it is full of Christmas delight one step at a time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
         

This post was written by guest blogger, Cheyenne French, student at Southeast Missouri State University

Shopping for that special man in your life isn’t as difficult as you think. If you find yourself in the Downtown Cape area and have an itch to check some people off your Christmas list, you’re in luck! This area is home to some of the best cuisine, entertainment and shopping experiences around. Not to mention its historic background adding to the allure. Shopping for a man has never been easier once you see what these shops have to offer.

Start with some downtown restaurants, such as Broussard’s (for your Cajun lover) or Bella Italia (to satisfy your guy’s Italian craving), to kick-start your shopping spree off right. Port Cape (did someone say excellent BBQ?), Cup n’ Cork and Dynamite Coffee (who doesn’t need a good cup of coffee to start their day off right?), El Sol (Mexican!) and Katy O’Ferrell’s Publick House (your local Irish pub) help add to the diverse dining scene. Don’t forget Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill on Main St for the sports lover in your family. The Corner Grocery & Gourmet Chocolates is a hidden gem for the sweets lover in your life. Stop in to get him some Kentucky Bourbon Balls, homemade fudge and delicious turtles. Yum! Knock more people off your list and pick up an extra gift card or two for any food lovers you may know.

Gaming Grounds, located on Broadway, has tons of lightly used games for guys of any age. You can even rent the place out for parties or buy him an hour or two of gaming time in the store. They also sell gaming accessories for an awesome price. Gaming Grounds is a must stop for any gamer in your life.

Maybe you need a gift for the more sophisticated man; one who cherishes things from the heart. Any of the downtown antique stores would be the perfect place to start. Sure, you hear the word “antiques” and think of some old cameras or ceramics, right? Wrong! These places have TONS of treasures for guys young and old. You can find vintage watches and belts, high-quality ink pen sets and vintage tools, or trinkets to hang in their man cave.

If man cave accessories are what he’s looking for, step over to Hutson’s Fine Furniture for a selection of furnishings and décor that’s never ending. If you’ve been searching for the perfect recliner to be his easy chair, you’re in luck. Does he need a new desk for his home office? Hutson’s is the place to shop. With a wide variety of all sorts of furniture including recliners, tables, clocks, rugs, mattresses and even fireplaces, Hutson’s has you covered.

If you’re feeling extra nice, take a look inside Grass Roots BMW Motorcycle for some excellent gift ideas. A shiny new motorcycle under the tree is sure to bring a smile to his face, but if that’s a little out of your realm, they also have apparel and accessories, parts and everything your cycle lover can dream of. While in the area, stop in Lattitudes Fair Trade Store where you'll find tasty coffee blends, handmade soaps and lotions, beautiful wine racks and other furnishings, to name a few. We can't even begin to detail what it means to be 'fair trade', so stop in and see how your purchases make a difference for those in need.

All these locations are a hop, skip, and a jump away. So take advantage of the beautiful city you live in and shop locally. Keep your main street alive and well by finding the perfect gift right in your very own neighborhood. Shop local in Downtown Cape Girardeau for all of the men on your list this Christmas!

This listing is not comprehensive of all the Downtown Cape offerings for men. Please check out all shopping outlets for unique ideas.

                             

Question and Answer time with Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash organizer, Ryan Eftink

What happened in 2001 that caused you to make a commitment to recruiting toys for kids at Christmas?
We wanted to have a Christmas party with our friends. My good friend, Davey, and I decided we’d make it a toy donation party. If you brought a toy to the party you could participate in the beverages and food that was provided, if not we asked for a cash donation. That first year at our house we had close to 100 people stop by… It was time to get a venue!

How did you come up with the name “Happy Slapowitz’s Toy Bash”?
We wanted something that gave tribute to the people that helped keep the event going. All the patrons of Rude Dog pub have always helped from the beginning and never asked for anything in return. That first year Mark and Todd wrote a check at the end of the night and gave cash from their tip jars to help. Another friend of ours, Nathan, brought several bags of toys to the event and one gentleman donates a bike every year. So I talked with my friends and decided to name it the “Happy Slapowitz’s Toy Bash” in honor of the unselfishness of the patrons of Rude Dog and the owners from that first year.  It is a name that means something to those that know it. 

What is your relation to Smokin’ Brothers?
Smokin Brothers is my family’s company. I have always been in charge of cooking the food for the event with help from a couple of friends. I am not into name recognition, and thought that it would help the cause if a business was named rather than a person. Smokin Brothers is a Seasoning, Sauce and Grill Manufacture Company. Double D Supply is the distributor for Smokin’ Brothers products. They provide all the supplies needed to cook from the seasonings, sauces and wood pellets, to, most importantly, the bbq grills used to cook the food.

What can we expect on this year’s menu?
We are cooking for all 8 bars this year. We’re providing pulled pork, BBQ baked beans, cole slaw and baked potato casserole. Food will be served before the bands take stage, from a 6-8pm, on December 11th.  

How do you buy tickets? What does it take to enter? 
The admission is a new unwrapped toy or a $10 cash donation at the door. ‘Bashers’ will receive a wristband to wear, allowing them to get into all locations for that one donation. If you purchased a t-shirt ahead of time, wear that and you’ll get in free.

What else is happening the evening of the 11th to support Toys for Tots
We’re having raffles for each bar that will be drawn at 12:30 at each location. Only 100 tickets will be sold at each bar for $5 apiece. It will be winner takes all. Each bar will have their own raffle box that will be given away, and the tickets can be purchased only at that bar that is giving that raffle away. The raffle boxes are made up of donations from our awesome sponsors. We’ll post on our FB page what each bar will have in their box.

New this year, we have one big prize to be raffled off. For a $20 entry you can win a Smokin Brothers BBQ grill valued at $900. Or, if you manage to make it to all eight venues and get your grill card punched at each location, you can enter for $10. The grill punch cards will be handed out at all venues, but Bel Air Bar and Grill will be where you can enter for the grill only. If you would like to purchase a chance to win the grill but are unable to attend, head over to Smokin Brothers at 1923 N. Kingshighway and enter there until Thursday, December 11th, at noon. We will be giving the grill away the following day on K103.

So you grew from changing the location from your home to Rude Dog to 8 pubs this year-is this correct?
We started in our home the first year and then quickly realized that it was too large of an event to have there. I’m good friends with the owners of Rude Dog Pub (Mark and Todd) and approached them about helping me out and having it at their location. The event changed from a Saturday night to a Thursday night. Also the free drinks went away, but we kept the food and added entertainment.

I have some good friends in several bands who came to help by donating their time. Jeremy Burford and Mike Renick were key contributors that first year at Rude Dog with their music connection.

That first year is when I got my right hand man on the cooking to start helping me, Kieth Seyer (Jr.).  2011 was the first year we added t-shirts and 2 other bars as well: Pour House & The Library. And this year we have committees helping with everything and we are an official 501C3! We also have had several businesses step forward and donate money and products to be given to the raffles.

We can’t wait for this year’s night - December 11th. 8 bars and 10 bands – don’t miss it!

'Like' our Facebook page to stay up-to-date on the latest Toy Bash information.

This post is written by guest blogger, Nicholle Hinkle, Director of Donor Relations at United Way of Southeast Missouri.

A little over three years ago (when my parents became empty-nesters), my dad started mentioning this thing called “craft beer.” I had never really heard of it, so I just assumed it was something that my parents were getting into since they didn’t have me around to entertain them anymore - ha! Little did I know at the time that this “craft beer” thing was actually becoming a new trend and thousands of people across the country were jumping on the bandwagon whether through taste-testing the products or brewing their own. How cool is that?

Well, if you’re a craft beer lover like my dad, you’ll be glad to know that United Way of Southeast Missouri is presenting an opportunity for you to taste-test over 60 craft and locally brewed beers right here in downtown Cape! That’s right – Boos & Microbrews will be held in conjunction with Hop Heads of Southeast Missouri and Bluff City Beer Co. on Saturday, October 25 from 2 to 6pm in the parking lot at Broadway & Main. Tickets are only $30 in advance or $35 the day of and can be purchased at United Way of Southeast Missouri, BOLD Marketing or Hubrew. However, you can also purchase tickets online by clicking here.

Your ticket gets you a tasting cup to sample the beers, a voting slip for your favorite beer, the opportunity to enjoy live music by the Jerry Ford Polka Band, entry into the Halloween costume contest, the chance to win raffle prizes, play games and so much more! Food will also be available for purchase from 2 Sides Grillin’.

As if I haven’t already provided enough good reasons to attend Boos & Microbrews, here are the Top 5 Reasons to Drink Craft Beer:

1 – It’s a hot topic. Like I mentioned, craft beer has become a rapidly growing trend in recent years. Craft beer + you drinking it = part of the cool club.

2 – The ingredients in the home-brewed beer will be fresh, carefully selected and of high quality. Our partners don’t brew anything but the best and these beverages are purely one of a kind and can’t be purchased in the store.

3 – Many people are referring to craft beer as the ‘new wine.’ Through the endless choices of flavors and styles of craft beer, there will always be an option to go with any meal…and 2 Sides Grillin will have plenty of options.

4 – The lager louts and bearded stereotypes have been well and truly quashed by the fresh, young and hip crowd that follows the movements of craft beer. Young fellows in trilbies sip pints with grey-haired strangers, women and men stand side-by-side, cups in hand. Welcome to beer equality.

5 – The people behind the craft beer possess an overwhelming degree of passion and love for what they do. It is brewed by local people, for local people, and often targeting a specific local area. Oh, and doing so will benefit your local United Way.

With the recent decision to bring the annual Fourth of July fireworks display back to downtown Cape Girardeau, we thought it a pertinent time to discuss the beneficial impacts that events such as this have on the downtown area.  

 

The list of events taking place downtown during a given period is lofty, and includes the fireworks display, Tunes at Twilight, First Friday, Parade of Lights, and The River Tales Classic Car Show…among many others. These events have the capacity to draw thousands of people (local and regional) into the Old Town Cape area that might not have otherwise visited. When combined with the areas multitude of retail, dining, and entertainment options, it’s an obvious winning situation for downtown merchants of every variety.

 

A recent study conducted by The Maine Center for Economic Policy examined a cities’ economic impacts when comparing local versus chain stores. The city of Portland, ME that was chosen has a population of just over sixty-six thousand people, which is comparable in nature to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson regional area. They analyzed data collected from 28 locally owned retail businesses, along with corporate filings for a representative national chain. The researchers found,

 

“That every $100 spent at locally owned businesses contributes an additional $58 to the local economy.  By comparison, $100 spent at a chain store in Portland yields just $33 in local economic impact.”

The study concluded,

 

“That if residents of the region were to shift 10 percent of their spending from chains to locally owned businesses, it would generate $127 million in additional local economic activity and 874 new jobs.”

 

Cape Girardeau is obviously not Portland, ME, but even if we were to assume a fraction of the benefits they found, we can come to the conclusion that local spending and events are a winning combination for Cape Girardeau. This is why we as downtown merchants, of every variety, should feel the need to champion events such as our recent fireworks display, while also applauding those who chose to patronize local retailers while in attendance.  Of utmost importance though, is to come to realization that events such as these can come to a close at a moment’s notice without support from the local community. We don’t like to imagine a downtown free from the sounds of an acoustic guitar at Tunes at Twilight, the uproar of a hot rod revving its engine during the car shows, or seeing the first set of Christmas lights parading down Broadway. We certainly hope that everyone in our area feels the same!

This post is co-written by guest bloggers, Lydia Ness and Steven Amrhein, students at Southeast Missouri State University.

With work and school, it had been a while since my boyfriend and I had been on a date. Since Valentine's Day is fast approaching, what better time to plan a date? We came together and decided on the perfect downtown date.

A key ingredient for the perfect date is perfect outfits for each, so being the awesome girlfriend that I am, I helped him pick out an outfit for the date. We made a trip to one of the newest stores downtown, Southern Style, where they have a great selection of both casual and dressy attire. After shopping around for a while, we decided on a Southern Tide button up shirt, Polo Ralph Lauren khaki jeans, and a Collared Greens belt.

I, however, wanted to keep my outfit a surprise, so after finishing up at Southern Style, I sent him on his way and made a trip to Main Street to visit my favorite boutique, Stash. A friend helped me pick out the perfect little black dress by Fable paired with a handmade necklace by Shira Melody and a pair of neutral heels by Gomax. Now with the outfits chosen, the date could not come soon enough!

To begin the day together, we visited eDen Spa and Salon for the VIP Couples Massage, which included a one hour massage and one hour in the sauna. It was nice to just relax and spend time together. Afterwards, we headed over to Cup N Cork for a light lunch and took a stroll afterwards since the weather was so nice. We came across Cream of the Crust, located on Spanish Street, and I just had to get a strawberry milkshake! Come to find out, their ice cream is homemade along with the other pastries, cakes, etc. that they now carry. The perfect afternoon was only getting better.

Now it was my turn to be surprised, and I definitely was. After walking by the gorgeous river, looking at the murals, and hopping along the train tracks, the sun began to set and we made our way to Bellevue Street. I was curious as to where we were headed, until I saw the sign on the outside of a unique house - Celebrations.

I always wanted to try the elegant restaurant, and now I was so lucky to get to share the experience with my boyfriend. We were seated by a very personable host who introduced us to their award winning wine list with wines from small artisan producers. He also explained that the owners buy most of the food from local farmers so the food is guaranteed to be fresh. My boyfriend ordered the main dish of Sautéed Pacific Rockfish, but I went with a smaller dish, the Housemade Fettuccini.

The date was going so well that we just weren't ready for it to end. We were all dressed up so we decided to take a leisurely drive down Broadway on our way back home and I instantly saw the bright lights of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. We figured it was a way to have some more fun and a chance to win back some of that date money, right? When we walked in, the live band was rocking loud music, playing all of today's hits and even some oldies. Not only were people pressing their luck at the machines, but a crowd was forming on the dance floor. We ended up dancing the night away and the band just so happened to play our song, "Treasure," by Bruno Mars.

The perfect date was a success! I was so happy to explore downtown with the best boyfriend around. I look forward to spending even more time downtown in the future and I encourage you to do the same. Who knows? You could convince your other half to take you on a date like ours!

Disclaimer: Lydia and Steven are only friends, but pretended to be dating for the purpose of this blog post.

Looking for a unique gift for that special woman in your life but have a set price range? Have no fear, shop downtown this year! I've gathered ten gift ideas each under $50 that are available at various downtown businesses. So whether you're in search of a scarf for her to wear with that new winter coat or a one-of-a-kind candle for her to burn while she's all cozy on the couch, I've got you covered. Here's what I found and pictures are included below:

1. Rewined candle (available at Sweet Designs Boutique) - repurposed wine bottle candles with scents that mimic the tasting notes of wine; $25 each

2. Vintage bracelet (available at Sloan + Themis) - eco friendly bracelet made of vintage brass chain circa 1930 with sterling silver toggle clasp; $39 each

3. Scarves (available at Stash) - variety of scarves made from wool, silk, cotton, etc.; $16-24 each

4. Stonewall Kitchen Gingerbread Cupcake Mix (available at Annie Em's at Home); $12.50 each

5. Cute and cozy wine bottle huggies (available at Pastimes Antiques) - the perfect accessory for wine bottles; $6 each

6. Country Living Sweet Pepper Glaze (available at Merci) - this makes a great topping for cream cheese and bread; $8 each

7. Holiday decor tables (available at Shoppe La La) - comes in snowman, wreath, or Santa Clause; $10 each

8. Hypo-allergenic earrings (available at Jayson Jewelers) - available in ruby, emerald, pearl, and sapphire; $35 each

9. Fuzzy heart slippers (available at Renaissance) - sizes small, medium, and large; $30 each

10. Ugg purse (available at Reruns) - small crossbody purse with one pocket; $45 each

This post is written by guest blogger, Jen Schwent, Student Worker at Old Town Cape.

It's that time of the year again and Christmas is upon us. Last year, I was fortunate enough to be able to take my son to Old Town Cape's Downtown Christmas Open House, and it was a Christmas memory I will forever remember.

James was six months old at the time, so I wasn't sure how meeting Santa for the first time was going to go. However, I was surprised to find out that he loved Santa, especially playing with his soft beard. He was able to get a free picture taken with Santa and was also there in time to see the one and only 6 foot elf! We had plans to ride in the carriage pulled by horses, but he fell asleep right before we got in line so I didn't wake him.

It was cold last year, but we were bundled up and got to enjoy all of the sites and shops. We both loved different pieces of it. My son liked the cookies and snacks that were offered at some of the downtown businesses along with the carolers along Main Street. One group even dressed up in clothing from the early twentieth century - it was so cool! And I enjoyed getting all of my Christmas shopping done. Many of the businesses offered specials and since I don't do "Black Friday," it was nice to still get deals. The gifts that I purchased were so unique and had more character than if I would've shopped at big box stores.

My little guy was too young last year to enjoy the crafts at Santa's Workshop, so I'm looking forward to taking him to enjoy those this year, and of course ride in the carriage. The Downtown Christmas Open House was great and it has become a tradition for our family. If you haven't ever been, I strongly encourage you to head downtown to the Riverfront area next Friday (Dec. 13) between 5 and 9 p.m. to enjoy the free event!

If you're a shopping fanatic like myself, you know this weekend marks the start of the holiday shopping season. And while you're probably familiar with the shopping frenzy induced by Black Friday, Small Business Saturday gives customers a different take on the retail experience.

On November 30, people across the country will pledge to shop local for the holidays and make their purchases at small businesses instead of heading to the mall or big box stores. American Express believes that when we shop small, the impacts are huge - the money stays within our local economy by way of retail sales tax, which in turn funds city services like public safety, parks and recreation, etc. It's a win-win for everyone. And that's the sole reason American Express started the Small Business Saturday initiative back in 2010. It wasn't until 2011 that the U.S. Senate officially recognized the holiday, but since then the estimated consumer spending amount on that day has grown to $5.5 billion!

Old Town Cape is home to more than 50 locally owned retail shops that all have their own unique identity. So whether you are looking for a vintage gift, a new pair of shoes, dazzling jewelry or even a toy for your four-legged furry friend, it can be found in downtown Cape. Many of the stores are having in-store specials (a list can be found here), so I challenge you to visit these small businesses to get some of your holiday shopping done - I know I will be!

As an extra, Old Town Cape is giving shoppers a special treat this holiday season. The first ten people to comment on this post and mention what downtown small business they will be shopping at on November 30 will receive a free Small Business Saturday reusable shopping bag.

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Take your cap off and salute our troops! When I was younger I always looked forward to Veterans Day because I knew that it meant I got to have a 3-day weekend. Okay, so maybe I still look forward to it for that perk but as I have gotten older I have learned to appreciate those who have served and honored our country more.

In downtown Cape, there is no lack of men and women who have fought to protect our freedom. What's more exciting is that the veterans that I interviewed served in different branches of the military. Allow me to introduce you to a few of them.

Dru Reeves, owner of Horizon Screen Printing, has served in the U.S. Army Reserves and Missouri National Guard since 1987 and is still active today. Reeves is a Sergeant First Class (E-7) and he has held three positions during those 26 years including a 54B Nuclear Biological Chemical Specialist, a 12B Combat Engineer, a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist and his current job is a Petroleum Supply Instructor. He says that serving in the military has given him both the ability to train others and develop employee and customer relationships, both of which are important in running a small business.

Laurie Everett from Annie Laurie's Antiques took away different skills from her job as Military Police in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2003 that have aided her in being a small business owner. She learned that you have to push yourself beyond any possible limit. Everett said that "being a business owner is often about endurance and perseverance and that is often what you are up against when you own your own business - you work long, hard hours and in spite of obstacles and setbacks, you never give up."

Tom Meyer learned a different lesson by serving as a Seabee, Engineer and Equipment Operator in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972. The Seabee's motto was "Can Do" and he was trained to adapt to what he has on hand and not what is always available. At his business, Exit Realty, he is always adapting to the business environment.

Cathy Davis of Reruns served in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1977. She attended 91B Basic Combat Medical Training and went on to be a 91D Operating Room Specialist. She said that the most important skills that she learned from serving are discipline and organization. Davis said "I now believe that you can do anything you set your mind to - mainly because if you couldn't do something in the Army, you had to find a way to do it or change jobs." She credits these skills to her success as a small business owner today.

How do you spend Veterans Day? With family and friends? Having a special dinner? Remembering those who have served? The veterans that I spoke with mainly just look at is as another day. Although a couple of them do catch up with old friends or participate in Veterans Day events. No matter how you spend it, be sure to thank a veteran for their service to our country - not only on this day but every day.